Be sure to attend the

30th Annual Modesto Highland Games
& Gathering of the Clans

Saturday June 4th 2011

Tuolumne River Regional Park
Modesto, California

History of the Highland Games

In the 11th century, King Malcolm III of Scotland summoned contestants to a foot race to the summit of Craig Choinnich. King Malcolm created this foot race in order to find the fastest runner in the land to be his royal messenger. Some have seen this event as the origin of today's modern Highland games.

During times of English occupation, the men of Scotland were forbidden to bear or train with arms. Scots continued to train for war; they simply did so with the implements of war replaced with the implements of the Highland games.

Heavy Athletics

Caber Toss

The athlete balances a long tapered log vertically, holding the smaller end in their hands. They then run forward, attempting to toss it end over end, with the larger bend hitting the ground first. A perfect toss is achieved when the smaller end lands at a 12 o'clock position, relative to the direction of the run. If successful, the athlete is said to have turned the caber.

Putting the Stone

This event is similar to the modern-day shot put. A large stone (16–22 lb stone for men or 8–12 lb for women) is thrown with one hand. The stone rests cradled in the neck until the moment of release.

Scottish Hammer Throw

A round metal ball (weighing 16 or 22 lb for men or 12 or 16 lb for women) is attached to a 4 foot long handle. The hammer is spun around the athlete's head and thrown for distance.

Weight for Distance

There are two classes of this event; the light event (28 lb for men and 14 lb for women) and the heavy event (56 lb for men, 42 lb for masters men, and 28 lb for women). The metal weights have a handle attached either directly or by means of a chain. Only one hand is used. The longest throw wins.

Weight for Height

An attempt is made to toss a 56 pound weight over a high bar using only one hand. Each athlete is allowed three attempts at each height. Successful clearance of the height allows the athlete to advance into the next round at a greater height. The competition is determined by the highest successful toss with fewest misses being used to break tie scores.

Music

Pipe Bands

The music of the bagpipe has come to symbolize Scotland itself. The most memorable is the massing of the bands, where all of the pipe bands march and play together during the opening and closing ceremonies.

Celtic & Irish Trad

Listen to a variety of traditional and modern day Celtic music. The instuments played vary, and may include; Fiddle, Harp, Banjo, Hammered Dulcimer, Guitar, Pipes, Penny Whistle, and Bodhran, among others.

Dancing

Scottish Country Dancing

Country dancing is a social dance and is performed with other dancers in a group. Modern day square dances are evolved from country dances.

Highland Dancing

This form of dancing is highly technical and very competitive, requiring many hours of practice. It has more in common with ballet than with the social dancing of the Scottish Country Dance. Highland dances are performed solo, and are judged on technique and costume.

Clan Tents

Finding Your Roots

Various clan societies make the Highland games their main focus and appear at as many events as possible. Visitors can find out information about their Scottish roots and can become active in a clan society if they wish.

Information for the 2011, 30th Annual Modesto Highland Games will be updated as received.
For more information please call Vicky Wolff at: (209)529-9430